The ramblings of a pilgrim through time, space, and life.

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Nebraska

Here I write once again. Sometimes life seems so full of everything, and other times as if this broad expanse of nothingness. The variety of individuals I have the privilege of being with is amazing. Their view, their outlook, the goals, their aspirations, their weaknesses all seem to vary so much. The variety and style prompts me to proclaim how wonderful and amazing they are. The intelligence that is so encompassing held by just a dozen people is staggering. Yet, sometimes I wonder if they know one iota of anything concerning themselves and eternity. People seem to be so good, wonderful, and helpful and in the same breath so greedy, selfish, and conceited. What an education far beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

Sometimes I wonder about the words of C.S. Lewis about when one recognizes themselves, that becomes the basis of pride. Yet, one star is greater than another, one is always greater than another. Perhaps we can recognize our own individuality but should be highly cautious about setting ourselves up over other people. That is what the world is teaching. You are special, it doesn’t matter what anyone is or does, you are better than they are. That is false. We are special, we are individuals, but we are a part of the fabric and an essential player. We cannot be independent of all others. No man is an island. To think we are to be our own man, independent of the God who created us, and the fellow citizens of the earth only creates a bunch of insufferable show offs. It breeds relativism and more conflict in the world.

While I have no doubt of the place of America in the role of the world, I find it scary that we subscribe to the belief I just mentioned. I remember in England when an American could not understand one with the local dialect, they met it characteristically with talking a little louder and asking a question a little slower. It wasn’t them who had the problem, it ws the individual speaking! We expect the world to revolve around us and pay us all the respect we believe is our due. We claim the rest of the world has pride and arrogance, even ignorance; when I must admit I think we are the one guilty of the charge. Is it any wonder the French have problems with us? In their history individuals given power rather than a government has produced “The Terror”. Why wouldn’t we expect them to react the way they did when we gave more over arching powers to the executive? When the power of waging war and of going into battle was given in their country, it led to a man seeking to rule Europe. Add that to their condition of their neighbors who have taken them over because of what they deemed as right. Of course France is not supportive of our going into another country to further ideals of democracy. We can see why they don’t like capital punishment, the guillotine is a national symbol still to them. That is something they will forever buck at. What is more, we hover and watch them and give them the cold shoulder. Not as a brother in the world should do, but as a lesser creature. Someone who is to not be associated with on the playground. We act the bully, and then when they bristle or don’t fall in line, we scorn and mock them. Try and turn our friends against them to persuade them to be with us. Looking back, that bully did hold their power for time. What ever happened to the bully. I hope we became more mature, that we all become equal, but it isn’t true. I know of three who bullied me in elementary and junior school, and sadly they find themselves on the lower of the totem pole in life today. I do not know if this would be true generally or across the board, but it is in my life. Sadly, I expect the same thing will happen eventually to us as a nation.

Then I look at other nations who are different. Others with different goals and perspectives. We eye them with caution and expect they must have questionable motives. The uncertainty always creates fear doesn’t it? “I have often thought to myself, what is to be done?” Education is our only hope. Just like Thomas Jefferson I find myself thinking that our only hope would be education and the constant expansion of our understanding. It must be understood, retained, and constantly built upon. Just like Joseph Smith taught of the need for increasing light and knowledge, Thomas Jefferson admonished, and Allan Bloom admonishes we must find and constantly be analyzing. We find our beliefs, seek out further light, compare it to what we have, and throw away what doesn’t work. Leave it behind, keeping a faithful record of where we have been. Sadly, such a case does not seem to be on the books today. Like I mentioned the case of relativism seems to be taking hold with all its disastrous underpinnings. James Madison made it clear that without the moral compasses and moorings that come from religious principles, the looking out one for another, democracy would drift and fall. Without morality democracy will pass as all the others have before our time.

Odd isn’t it. We are so smart, yet we never counsel with history. Is it any wonder we are so seriously admonished to remember. Rather than condemning, let us seek. Rather than finding our lines and demanding nobody to cross over, why don’t we step over them ourselves and act as more faithful pilgrims and wanderers? The glory of God is intelligence isn’t it? When slapped, turn your cheek and move on. Service to your enemies and comfort to those who are weak. Revenge is never the order of the day.

It all starts with the individual. From there the example is powerful. There is great hope in the world. There is great possibility of potential. Why are we focused on fear? Why not look to the future? Fear only cripples.

Inside the world, in my own personal life, there is much to look forward to. I find in myself a growth and a bright outlook. It all comes in the name of Amanda Hemsley for me. Burton K Wheeler and Jared Diamond have been my meat recently. Not to mention the studies of Iranian business deals and American history that have been my research. There has been a constant barrage of information which have helped to temper me and my zeal. Somehow though, the introduction of another who is to be considered as yourself changes things drastically. My vision has expanded not only of the world from her eyes but the view from my own. It tempers the excitement of youth even more, but gives more drive for the future. Somehow the clutch of individualism is disengaged and one finds themselves propelled faster and further along the road of life. I am not even married yet! The walk continues, but it is taking on new vistas. I leave the Rocky Mountains with dizzying height and glamor to the more humble and open expanse of the plains. It is not that there is less to see, nor is there less to experience. It is just different. The ecosystem is just as open, but a new road. The anticipation is great. Where will it take us? How far will it take us? Shall we circle the earth or walk slowly to Blair, Nebraska? Either one, I am content.

She is most beautiful, captivating, and sublime. I have not potential to describe the connection in those eyes and how far the warmth of her body seems to penetrate. This world is definitely beyond the physical. We don’t even know all the aspects of the physical, but already many doors are open for emotional and spiritual travel.

I found one of her hairs today. It glistened and somehow represented something so far away. It was only a memento that was obviously manifesting of her presence. Yet she is so far away. This part is not even living, but yet it speaks of her. How many hairs in the world do I see, yet lose their true significance. I have eyes but do not see.

Life is more than just me. I focus on myself so much, everything revolves around my life, because that is me. It is unavoidable. But the greatest joys come in the life of others. Burton K Wheeler’s experiences are now a part of my own. His personality has become a part of mine. While the stories and the times may melt, I have been changed and can clearly link it to him. The same with Cecil D Andrus’ life. On and on and on. Oh if I could implore more people to record their lives and write their stories! What I would not give to read the same of my ancestors. My grandmother’s journal was a portal into another’s life. However, that life is an extension of me. While Brother Wheeler is far more removed, he is still a part of the country I now life, and that is part of me as well. I was so sure to go out and define the world and change it according to my view. I am coming to find out that the world has created much of what I am. It has changed me. It used to be such a negative view. I always knew what needed to change and what I was to do. Now it is the opposite. What can I learn from it to apply in life. I seek more and more. Dismissing those which are of lesser quality and holding to those which are more true.

Is it any wonder we are exhorted to seek out knowledge. It is the only thing that will save us. Especially that knowledge which is most important.

Amanda came to visit over last weekend. All my time with her is something to be cherished. We learn so much from each other. I learn so much from her. She amazes me. She is so pure and wonderful. She makes me wish I was better, glad I receive her love, and yet honoured. I love her and hope we will forever build upon that. We are both just humble enough to learn from each other and to walk the path together. As we grow, how much more sweeter can it possibly become?

Oh the nothingness of man. God rules the nations and the earth inasmuch as we let him. He oversees all and knows all things. May we learn of him rather than to pontificate to the world what they should know. There is so much to learn. May I always be learning and seeking? Rather than the one giving instruction. Reminds me of Socrates always asking the questions rather than giving the answers. Good night.

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I know, I know, I have not been keeping this as up todate as I could. Oh well, things are going very well. I am enjoying life and have had a great refreshing break. Just a few more weeks and then I am done and headed back to Utah for graduation, marriage, and happily ever after.

For Thanksgiving Break Anna Badger, Brad Hales, and Jeana Stuart all came to visit for the holiday. It was great to have them here and I very much enjoyed their presence. It was quite the adventure. They arrived on last Friday and I took all of them back to the airport today for them to fly out. I assume they made their flights and are all safely at home now. With most of which I write, there will be photos to go along in the Thanksgiving Gallery.

In preparation for their coming, Genny in the office got them tours at the White House, Capitol, Library of Congress, National Cathedral, and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. They went and saw several other museums and various other things around Washington DC. Last Friday night we went on a midnight visit of some of the monuments. We went to the Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, FDR, and other things around Washington. I showed them the main buildings and gave them a sort of feel for the overall layout of the area.

Saturday we went to the Washington DC temple. We also paid a little visit to Georgetown and went to Arlington National Cemetery. Sunday we went to church and the Washington Memorial Masonic Lodge. Monday through Wednesday they went on their tours. Monday afternoon I met them at the Library of Congress and went on that tour with them. It was amazing. I really appreciated the beauty and time that obviously went into the building. Very impressive building. I took them back through the tunnels to Russell from the Library of Congress. That was quite a bit of a walk through the house buildings, Capitol and back. They enjoyed it. Tuesday I gave them their tour of the Capitol and tried to sneak in some extra perks for them, however, with another couple on the tour we did not get to show as much as I could have. Wednesday I got off work at noon and went and met them at the Museum of American History. I enjoyed that. I could have spent quite a bit more time there. I enjoyed the science aspect, nuclear, transportation, First Lady, and Presidential exhibits. I could have spent a few more hours in the building. I will have to pay them another visit. There are a few museums I still have not seen. I want to see the Native American, Modern Art, Printing and Engraving, and spy museum. Sometime I will have to pay them a visit. I suppose there is always a time in the future.

Thanksgiving was great. We enjoyed a trip to Mt. Vernon and had a great time. You can see the pictures from that adventure. Yesterday we trekked to Monticello and Montpelier, but due to circumstances and preference, we did not get into either. At one it was “too cold” and the other we were “too late” so what was to be done. However, I stumbled on another little town I would love to move to some day and spend the rest of my life. Orange, Virginia, an amazingly beautiful little town. There are a few of them in my life. Ashland, Kansas; Blair, Nebraska; Quray, Colorado; and now Orange, Virginia. It was amazingly beautiful. I hope some day I can organized a piece of property into something so magnificent so as to add to the community to which I belong. We all loved the beautiful well kept estates that lined the roads. Orange was particularly beautiful.

We all come to understand each other a little more, we come to see and understand our weaknesses and strengths a little more, and hopefully we will have learned from our close interactions. I sure enjoyed their company and the opportunity to entertain guests. More importantly, it gave a little more initiative to get out and see some of what I am surrounded by.